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As Hina replayed what she'd felt while resting in the bathroom attached to Ikki's special training room, she grew more and more convinced that what Nojiko had said was probably true.
'If the effects Nojiko described didn't exist, why would every one of Ikki's companions be going through a second growth spurt?' In Hina's eyes, that was exactly what had happened to Ikki's friends, just to different degrees.
Characters like Nami, Nojiko, Robin, Kalifa, and Perona had all seen remarkable results, Perona especially.
Nami, Nojiko, Robin, Kalifa, and the rest developing quickly made sense to Hina. Their frames were naturally on the larger side to begin with, Robin most of all, being taller and more solidly built, so it stood to reason she'd develop faster too.
But Perona, such a small girl, pulling off that kind of dramatic second growth spurt genuinely surprised her. After turning it over, Hina could only conclude that beyond whatever natural potential Perona, Nami, and the others had, their growth was closely tied to how much time they'd spent soaking in that special bathroom.
"Nojiko was right. There really is some secret hidden in Ikki's bathroom." Hina nodded firmly and looked toward him.
"Really? Can I try it myself later?" Kujaku pressed her hands together, eyes fixed hopefully on Ikki.
That made his lips twitch, and for a moment he had no idea how to explain himself to either of them.
'I can't exactly tell them what I'm really thinking. The life potions are a secret I have to keep close.' Left without another option, Ikki simply stayed silent.
But his silence only convinced Hina and Kujaku further that there really was some secret to the bathroom. 'If anything, that just makes me more determined to go take a soak. Maybe more than once,' Hina thought.
"I'm sure Captain Ikki wouldn't mind if you took a dip in his bathroom," Nojiko said. "After all, he'd get to admire your charms while you're at it. Speaking of which, you wouldn't mind if he happened to be there while you bathed, would you?"
"It's his bathroom, after all. We can hardly kick him out of it," Nami added, echoing the sentiment.
"I don't have a problem with that," Hina said, nodding.
'Anyway, I've been through worse before. A few more visits won't make much difference. Worst case, I'll just bring a towel,' she thought. But thinking it over further, Hina suspected a towel wouldn't help much anyway, not after Ikki had already seen everything worth seeing while testing her Flame Breathing.
"I... I don't have a problem with it either," Kujaku said softly, sharing much the same thoughts as Hina.
"You two..." Ikki looked between Hina and Kujaku, then over at Nami and Nojiko.
Meeting his gaze, Nami and Nojiko only smiled wider, as if to say, you're welcome.
"Hina, Kujaku, go on ahead and take your time," Ikki said, before quickly turning to murmur something to his friends.
With that, he ignored whatever the two of them were saying and pulled Nami and Nojiko forward a few steps, meaning to have a proper word with them, Nojiko especially. He wanted to know what the two of them were really thinking.
'What exactly are you two playing at?' he thought.
"I'm doing this for your own good, Captain Ikki. Didn't you realize that?" Nojiko said with a smile.
"For my own good? Could've fooled me," Ikki said, shaking his head at her and Nami.
"Captain Ikki's quite the joker, don't you think?" Nami said, hand at her mouth, laughing lightly. "Knowing you, if Hina and Kujaku really do come recuperate in our bathroom, you'll be there without fail to get a good look at them. Maybe we could even get them to do something worthwhile while we're at it."
"Hehe, how about I get you involved in something serious instead?" Ikki said irritably.
"Sure, how about tonight?" Nami said, hugging his arm excitedly.
Ikki could practically feel the pressure of it against his skin.
"Business first, Nami," Nojiko said, patting her shoulder before turning to Ikki. "Captain Ikki, we really do mean well by this. Nothing more to it than that."
Looking at Nojiko, who seemed the more level-headed of the two, Ikki asked, "But you understand what we'll be facing after this war, don't you?"
'Do you two really think you'll still be free to come back to me once it's over?'
He hadn't put it plainly, but he trusted Nojiko and the others would understand what he meant. After the Marineford War, his days as a Warlord would be over for good. The World Government would drop the pretense and put out a full manhunt for all of them.
As for the Marines, though he had friends among them, they'd have no choice but to hunt him down once the World Government leaned on them. Under those circumstances, how could Hina and Kujaku possibly still make it to his bathroom?
"Nothing's absolute," Nojiko said. "Maybe they'll still be willing to associate with us. Or maybe things play out so Captain Ikki ends up capturing them himself. Either way, I'd bet they'd still want to come wash away their fatigue." She laughed loudly.
'Nothing in this world is absolute,' Ikki repeated to himself, sinking into thought.
He genuinely hoped that was true. He didn't want to lose Hina and Kujaku, who were like friends to him within the Marines. But knowing the two of them, keeping their friendship intact after the Marineford War would probably take nothing less than bringing down the World Government itself.
'Yeah... why not just bring it down myself?' The thought lit something in his eyes.
After the war, the World Government would come after him regardless. He might as well turn that energy around and pour it into tearing the organization apart instead. They had plenty of hidden tricks up their sleeves, sure, but a man with the System behind him was no pushover either.
As long as he kept acquiring sufficiently valuable swords, he'd surely become the strongest man in this world. And not just him. Nami and the rest of his crew would grow plenty powerful too. Once things reached that point, wouldn't the World Government be easy enough to bring to heel?
A smile slowly spread across Ikki's face.
"Looks like our captain's finally come to his senses," Nami said with a light laugh.
"I've got it figured out. Let's get moving on what needs doing," Ikki said.
"When you say 'what needs doing,' do you mean patching things up with Hina and Kujaku, or the war?" Nami asked, curious.
"You already know the answer to that one, Nami." Ikki reached out and ruffled her hair.